Sciatica rearing its ugly head: prevention tips

[Anemone del Camino]

Last fall I headed for the Norte. But about 3 weeks before I did I started feeling a bit of pain on the bottom of my left foot and chose to ignore it. The Camino taught me, in no uncertain way, that it was plantear fasciitis, and that was a fool to ignore the pain when it started.

During the last few weeks I have been feeling sciatica acting up. And it is simply not allowed to as I am heading out on the Primitivo next month.

Anyone with any tips on how to nip this bud (butt?), I would love to hear from you. Stretches to do, to avoid? Anything, please. Primitivo is said to be hilly, and the slightest little incline is being felt.

Thank you.

 

[HelenB]

Last fall I headed for the Norte. But about 3 weeks before I did I started feeling a bit of pain on the bottom of my left foot and chose to ignore it. The Camino taught me, in no uncertain way, that it was plantear fasciitis, and that was a fool to ignore the pain when it started.

During the last few weeks I have been feeling sciatica acting up. And it is simply not allowed to as I am heading out on the Primitivo next month.

Anyone with any tips on how to nip this bud (butt?), I would love to hear from you. Stretches to do, to avoid? Anything, please. Primitivo is said to be hilly, and the slightest little incline is being felt.

Thank you.

I had sciatica for many years and in the last few years found that yoga has reduced the episodes from once or twice a week to a one minor one in the last six months. If you can get to regular yoga classes before you leave to learn the stretches that would help, I think it would be quite beneficial and do them every day as you walk. . Alternately she a physiotherapist to give you a set of stretches. One I found particularly good is to lay down with your bottom against the wall and your feet up the wall. I could do this if I managed to get a top bunk near a wall.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Thank you HelenB, I do like that exercise, learned in yoga class! Very good for resting legs as well.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Anemone,
Is it possible that your sciatica comes from too much sitting? A friend of mine had terrible pain and was nervous about taking a two week coastal walk somewhere in Australia, I believe. She found to her delight and surprise that walking was the cure! Fingers crossed for you. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Andrea Mayfield]

My periodic sciatica is cured with stretching and adjustment from my chiropractor to put my hips and spine back in alignment.

 

[SYates]

As @peregrina2000 said, walking might just be the perfect cure! Apart of that:

Avoid sitting down, either stand or lie down.
Make sure your backpack is perfectly fitted and as light as possible.
Strengthen your tummy muscles, they keep your spine aligned in conjunction with your back muscles.

Speedy recovery and Buen Camino! SY

 

[BShea]

Believe it or not, I've heard wearing knee high compression socks helps. My friend wears them when she flies and swears by them.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Believe it or not, I've heard wearing knee high compression socks helps. My friend wears them when she flies and swears by them.

I just bought a pair of Merino compression socks, so I guess that was a really good idea. Thanks for letting me know about this, as I walk like a geisha so extra flying powers are welcomed!

 

[BShea]

Please let me know if they help...

 

[Annie G]

I have suffered from sciatica for years. Most recently, I joined an aquatic fitness class, Ai Chi, which is similar to Tai Chi but takes place in a warm (92 degrees) salt water pool. I go twice a week for this one hour class and it has made a tremendous difference in not only the sciatica but all my other aches and pains due to osteoarthritis and that nagging knee pain from that meniscus problem. I'm really going to miss it when on the Camino.